Protein microcapsules and method of preparing the same

Abstract

Microcapsule compositions as disclosed comprising a microcapsule dispersed in an aqueous phase. The microcapsule has a microcapsule core and a microcapsule wall encapsulating the microcapsule core. The microcapsule core contains an active material. The microcapsule wall is formed of a polymeric network comprising a first moiety derived from a protein, and a second moiety derived from a multi-functional electrophile. Also disclosed are preparation methods and consumer products containing the microcapsule compositions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A microcapsule composition comprising microcapsules that contain a microcapsule core and a microcapsule wall encapsulating the microcapsule core, wherein the microcapsule core contains an active material and the microcapsule wall is formed of a polymeric network comprising a polyisocyanate and a cross-linker consisting of (i) whey or a plant storage protein and (ii) tannic acid, wherein the weight ratio of the protein to polyisocyanate is in the range of 1:1 to 10:1, and the microcapsules contain 50% to 90% of the protein by weight of the microcapsule wall. 
     
     
       2. The microcapsule composition of  claim 1 , wherein the plant storage protein is pea protein. 
     
     
       3. The microcapsule composition of  claim 1 , wherein the whey or plant storage protein is partially or completely denatured prior to formation of the polymeric network. 
     
     
       4. The microcapsule composition of  claim 3 , wherein at least 60% by weight of the whey or plant storage protein is denatured prior to formation of the polymeric network. 
     
     
       5. The microcapsule composition of  claim 3 , wherein the whey or plant storage protein is denatured with a guanidine salt. 
     
     
       6. The microcapsule composition of  claim 3 , wherein the whey or plant storage protein is denatured with guanidine carbonate. 
     
     
       7. A consumer product comprising the microcapsule composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       8. A method of preparing the microcapsule composition of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) emulsifying an oil phase comprising a polyisocyanate and an active material with an aqueous phase comprising a whey or plant storage protein thereby forming an oil-in-water emulsion; 
 (b) adding tannic acid to the oil-in-water emulsion; and 
 (c) applying conditions sufficient to induce formation of a polymeric network comprising the polyisocyanate, whey or plant storage protein and tannic acid, thereby forming the microcapsule composition comprising microcapsules that contains a microcapsule core and a microcapsule wall encapsulating the microcapsule core; 
 wherein the microcapsule core contains the active material and the microcapsule wall is formed of the polymeric network comprising the polyisocyanate, whey or plant storage protein and tannic acid; and 
 wherein the weight ratio of the protein to polyisocyanate is in the range of 1:1 to 10:1, and the microcapsules contain 50% to 90% of the protein by weight of the microcapsule wall. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plant storage protein is pea protein. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the whey or plant storage protein is partially or completely denatured prior to step (a). 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least 60% by weight of the whey or plant storage protein is denatured. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the whey or plant storage protein is denatured with a guanidine salt. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the whey or plant storage protein is denatured with guanidine carbonate.